String Quilt

Back in July, the Queen in one of my bees asked for string blocks.  I had so much making hers that I kept my string bucket out and just kept making blocks. 

I decided to really go after scraps and did this as my very first Quilt As You Go project.  In addition to the scrappy strings, I used up batting scraps.  I love using fusible tape to make larger pieces out of batting scraps. I also used fabric donated to my Project Linus chapter for the backing.  After sewing each block, at which time I also quilted it (!) I trimmed to 7 1/2".

The back of one block, after joining

Turns out that I love Quilt As You Go!  (QAYG)  Having the quilting done once the piecing is done just feels so good!  I used a method for joining the quilted blocks that I learned from the Craftsy class Quilting Big Projects on a Small Machine with Ann Peterson.  One thing I will do differently next time is use non-directional prints for the backing.  For this quilt, it got too hard to try to get the prints to face one direction so I just decided it didn't matter.

The sashing on the blocks is some leftover Kona Meringue.  Last time I made a string quilt, I was sorry I didn't use the same fabric in the middle of each block to give some continuity and order.  I used the Meringue this time, but didn't think about how the joining method would mean each block was outlined.  So there are a few more lines than I planned.  Next time, I'll use the same fabric in each block if it's not QAYG and will skip it if I'm doing QAYG.

The string quilt was item #4 on my list of Q3 goals for the globally hosted finish along. 

Pink Poodles

Someone donated this fabulous pink poodle fabric to my local Project Linus chapter.  I liked it so much as a large piece of fabric that I decided to keep it as a whole cloth quilt and use it for some free motion quilting practice.

I am just not sure if I am ever going to get the hang of free motion quilting.  I haven't completely given up yet, but I do much better with lines and I think I'm getting close to be resigned to sticking with straight line quilting.  We'll see.

Here's the back.  I back almost all of my Project Linus quilts with fleece.  It makes for a quilt that is a great weight and it's soft and cuddly.

And a close-up of those fabulous poodles!

Poodles was item #20 on my list of Q3 goals for the globally hosted finish along.  And, ironically, last on my list but first finished.

I Wish You a Merry Quilt Along Blocks #3, #4, & #5

I've been keeping up with I Wish You a Merry Quilt Along, but I haven't posted my blocks since the first one. 

Block #3 was designed by Laura of Slice of Pi Quilts and is Santa's Belt.  There is a Facebook group for the 200+ people quilting along and one of the great things about having to wait a few days to make my block is I get to see what others have done and steal their ideas.  I would not have thought of creating a belt buckle on my own, but I saw several others do it and I liked it.

I'm doing these with a Quilt As You Go method, so I added extra to the outside pieces when I cut so I would have room to trim down after quilting.  You can tell that I trimmed this one unevenly.  Maybe Santa is far enough into his route that his belt is crooked?

Block #4 was designed by Jennifer of The Inquiring Quilter.  She used some of her antique ornaments as the inspiration for her block.

I really love the fussy cut Santa but when my son (age 3) saw it the morning after I finished it, he said "Santa is grumpy!"  I didn't think so, but we now all refer to Grumpy Santa around my house!  I used grosgrain ribbon for hanging and hope they hold up okay.  I've been using the crafted applique method for all the applique.  This block was then stitched down with just a straight stitch.

Block #5 was designed by Sherry of Powered by Quilting and is an adorable snowman.  I went super simple with mine and admit that I used fabric markers for the eyes and nose.

I have loved all the amazing variations of this snowman so much that I am now making an additional quilt of just snowmen!  This one is quilted and ready to go into the sampler, but I have 5 more blocks made waiting for embellishments and plan on a quilt of 9, so I need to make 4 more. 

If you were *really* paying attention, you noticed that I skipped block 2.  That one was a tree farm block designed by April of Janda Bend Quilts.  I did make a tree block, but I liked it so much that it has since been expanded and will become a quilt to hang on my front door during winter.  I will make another version for the sampler but have not gotten to it yet. Here is the block when it was the size for the Quilt Along, before I expanded it. 

Can you tell that I have been loving this quilt along?!  I am only using stash, so mine will be scrappy.  I've stared embracing the scrappy and am happy that even though I have no planned color scheme and decided to stop forcing one (I gave up on all blocks having the same background when that Santa's Belt block was released) they seem to look okay together so far.  Block #6 is released on September 26th and I'm looking forward to it!